Painkiller Vioxx® Pulled from Market Alert

Sept 30, 2004 -- Merck & Co announced today that it was pulling its popular
arthritis and pain drug Vioxx (rofecoxib) from the worldwide market after a
clinical trial showed that the drug carried an increased risk for heart attacks
and strokes.

The increased cardiovascular risk was discovered during a trial to evaluate
the effect of Vioxx in preventing recurrence of colorectal polyps. After 18
months of treatment, the patients taking Vioxx were found to be at greater risk
for heart attack and stroke compared with those taking a placebo. The trial is
being stopped.

Vioxx is a COX-2 selective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). Other
COX-2 selective NSAIDs on the market at this time are Celebrex (celecoxib) and
Bextra (valdecoxib) NOTE: April 7, 2005, Pfizer agreed to suspend sales and marketing of Bextra in the U.S., pending further discussions with the with the FDA. For more information, please read the
FDA press release.
. Vioxx is also related to the nonselective NSAIDs, such as
ibuprofen and naproxen.

Comment: The FDA today stated: "The risk that an individual patient will
suffer a heart attack or stroke related to Vioxx is very small. We encourage
people taking Vioxx to contact their physician to discuss discontinuing use of
Vioxx and alternative treatments. Any decision about which drug product to take
to treat your symptoms should be made in consultation with your physician based
on an assessment of your specific treatment needs."